You! | Draco Malfoy x Y/n |

-27-

I slump onto a small table in the common room, my legs dangling from the edge as my fingers curl around the knobbly wood. 

So, Skye was right. Lennon did have feelings, after all.

But... is it rude to say I didn't? 

It's well past curfew- I should be tired by now- but sleep feels nearly impossible.

Was Skye right about me? Was I really too oblivious to see the signs? The way Lennon would hover protectively when I was around Draco as if trying to take me away from anything that might make him jealous. The way his hand would 'accidentally' brush against mine.

I love Lennon, but like a sibling. He's always been there for me, and I've always been there for him. But more than that? No. Never.

But he wanted more. And the question of whether I should be nicer about the situation runs through my head, weaving itself into every possible crevice of my brain, unwilling to let me understand what I truly want.

Should I be flattered that someone likes me this much? Shouldn't I feel something more? But all I feel is hollow.. like I'm on the edge of losing something important without even knowing what it is. Was it my friendship with Lennon? Was that it?

Or am I just overthinking it, like I always do? If I'd known those kisses would make him this mad, would I have done it differently? Like a small weight on my back I'd have to live with. 

I close my eyes slowly, leaning back against the cool stone wall. The chill sinks into my skin, numbing my racing thoughts for a moment. But then, a small, deliberate cough snaps me back to reality.

I open my eyes, and when I see who it is, I don't know whether to feel relieved or more guilty for reasons I don't know.

"Heard the argument," Draco says smoothly, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.

"Of course," I mutter, my gaze dropping back to my feet as they swing carelessly from the table, carefully avoiding his eyes.

Silence settles between us, my hair hanging loosely as I stare at the floor. When I finally look up, he's closer than before, standing right in front of me, his gaze penetrating as his gray eyes meet my y/e/c ones.

"Are you okay?" he asks, the awkward sympathy in his voice breaking the sadness inside me and forcing a smirk onto my face.

"Are you okay?" I retort, raising an eyebrow at his confused expression. "Draco Malfoy showing sympathy? Who are you, and what have you done with the real Draco Malfoy?"

His confusion goes away, replaced by the familiar, careless expression he usually wears.

"Shut up," he mumbles, a small flush of pink on his cheeks. Then, more quietly, he adds, "Should I show you how you know this is the real me?"

I furrow my brows at the sudden shift in attitude, nodding slowly as a lopsided smirk tugs at his lips. He glances over his shoulder, checking the empty common room. Before I can fully process what's happening, the very thing that pissed Lennon off is happening right in front of me.

His hand curls around my waist, and the other gently grips my jaw. The scent of mint fills the air as I wrap my arms around his neck. There's an odd rhythm to what's unfolding, like a pulse I feel in every vein.

This feels so wrong, especially after what happened with Lennon, but then again, it also feels so right. Every doubt I had melts away, leaving only the crackling of the fire in the fireplace to break the perfect silence surrounding us.

As I slowly pull back, there's a brief moment where neither of us moves. Draco's hand lingers on my waist, and I feel the warmth of his breath still close to my skin.

I open my eyes slowly, meeting his gaze.

"So...," I murmur, my voice slightly breathless, "does this mean you're still the real Draco Malfoy?"

He smirks, but it's softer this time, something between confident and shy. "What do you think?"

I can't help but laugh, a quiet sound that breaks the tension in the air. It feels awkward, but in a way that makes me feel lighter.

Draco's face flushes again, and he looks away, rubbing the back of his neck with the hand he removed from my jaw. "Maybe I'll just let you decide that."

The silence that follows isn't heavy; it's oddly comforting like the two of us are sharing a secret no one else can understand.

"Well," I say after a moment, "-for what it's worth... I think I like this side of you." 

The words come out softly, and I can feel my own cheeks heating up. I cringe at the silly comment, but there's no snarky remark that follows. Just silence.

Draco's eyes meet mine again, and there's a small glint in his eyes, making him look... almost proud. "Don't get used to it," he mutters, but there's no rudeness to his words.

We stay there for a second longer, neither of us quite sure what to do next. I pull back, my hands dropping from around his neck, and he lets his hand fall from my waist. The space between us feels strange now. Too far and too close at the same time. 

"Goodnight, Draco," I say, giving him a small, genuine smile as I step off the table. 

He nods, still looking a bit flustered. "Goodnight, Y/n." His voice is softer than usual, almost clueless.

As I turn to leave, I feel a tiny spark of something new; awkward, but definitely there. Like a small reminder everything will clear up.

After weighing my chances, I glance back one last time, catching the way he's still watching me, and we both grin awkwardly. A tiny moment that feels heavy but light.

The night feels different now, like the coldness of Lennon's departure was replaced by a blanket of comfort. 

Maybe, just maybe something good will come out of this.